I have been riding a Cannondale Synapse for about 16 months now and have done about 14,000km's on it. I am really happy with the ride but I'm a bit bored with the look of it and am looking to upgrade when the new 2012 bikes are released. I really want a flash looking road bike but I want to do distance and speed!!

Does anyone know how the Specialised Ruby and the Bianchi Dama compare to the synapse re speed and comfort. Would I find the ride too uncomfortable if I went for a great looking race bike like the Specialised Amira (especially after I had done say about 100km)? Is there really much difference in the ride between a Fem bike designed for longer distances compared to a road race bike?

My current bike has Ultegra on the front and 105 on the rear, I am thinking of swapping to sram on the next bike, but I'm not sure how it feels or which one to choose?

I recently test rode a Specialized Ruby and then their Amira...only around a track but I rode them for 3-4k's each.

I liked the Ruby, it was a smooth ride, the bike was lighter than the alloy that I currently ride.....but then I jumped on the Amira...wow it was so responsive and fast, I LOVED it!!!

I had been thinking about getting something designed more for endurance, but after the test ride I'm leaning toward the more race designed, even though I don't intend to race!

I loved that when I put my foot down it really went faster...??something about power transfer??? And it was still comfortable, even though the stem was probably too long for me, it just 'felt right' which isn't isn't very objective but my frined said that I had a huge smile when riding the Amira...and I liked the look of it compared to the Ruby.

The Amira had Dura Ace on it, which is out of my price range, but it was smooth with changes, but there wasn't much difference, in my opinion, between that and the Ultegra that the Ruby was running....I currently have Ultegra on my alloy, but the newer version on the Ruby was crisper with gear changes...if that makes any sense!

My wifelet is a recent new cyclist, and rather than buy her crap, we decided on a Bianchi Infinito Dama/105. Not cheap, but with the limited options offered in a female fit, it was a clear winner on overall desirability and value.She is over the moon with this, and does anything from 20-50 km daily. On her first ride she did 27 km to the gym, did a work--out and a floor class, then rode home, so that gives you an idea about the overall comfort.Our roads are pretty crap, but she finds it very comfy, standard seat.Plus, it's a real looker.While it's "coast to coast" not pure race, it's plenty fast enough for racing.

They are also italian and I am not a fan of italian bikes. I drive an italian car and never know when I am going to be standing on the side of the road with my steering wheel in my hand.

I know the OP is quite old but I have both a ruby and an amira - both with SRAM Red. I use them for different things. I race on the amira but do the tours on the Ruby. It is just a comfort thing. You can easily bang out 100+K on the amira but the road chatter through the arms and shoulders takes some working up to. You do notice the lack of road dampening technology.

davpol wrote:Does anyone know how the Specialised Ruby and the Bianchi Dama compare to the synapse re speed and comfort. Would I find the ride too uncomfortable if I went for a great looking race bike like the Specialised Amira (especially after I had done say about 100km)? Is there really much difference in the ride between a Fem bike designed for longer distances compared to a road race bike?

Yes and no, normally its in the stays and the stays will enforce more comfort carrying the vibrations from the road either through the top tube or into the seat post.

A bike for longer disances is a relaxed fit, its relaxed because the aggressiveness from the seat to the bars isn't as... agressive. Pro's have rather high seats and handle bars lower, which is what is reffered to as an agressive position, depending on the bike you choose you could get a semi racer with a more relaxed position.

There isn't much out there that is much better for comfort than they Synapse that you already have, but they aren't exactly flash. I'd look at a Bianchi C2C

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